Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Recent warmth brings out the best in a beautiful bamboo...

What a treat it was to get an e-mail with a photo attached from Aaron, a customer who obtained a Himalayacalamus hookerianus 'Teague's Blue Bamboo' from me in November 2011. I have blogged on this specific variety many times. One blog post was picked up on a popular garden blog, Dirt du Jour, and well, the rest was history. Needless to say it is one of the most sought after clumping bamboos for me.

Himalayacalamus hookerianus 'Teague's Blue Bamboo' has a history, propagated by horticulturist Bill Teague in Southern California (plants were often given to friends), this ornamental bamboo gets about 20 feet tall and not only has shades of blue in the culm, but also carries deep reds, purples, vibrant greens, and I'm expecting a new color... any day now. It's one of those plants that makes you say - 'wow!'

In Sacramento, it needs to be in a spot that gets afternoon shade. Other than that, its a good performer and puts quite the show in the garden.

So without further adieu, here is what Aaron sent me....

So for comparison, to show of the variety of colors this bamboo plant offers, here is the photo that the good people at Dirt du Jour shared with the world last year..

Believe it or not... same plant. Ladies and gentleman... 'Teague's Blue Bamboo', not much else to say, it speaks for itself. Aaron's photos emphasized why this is my favorite bamboo.

Bamboo prints and posters by Nate Abbott

About my bamboo nursery.....

I own a small, part-time bamboo nursery in Rocklin, CA, about 15 minutes east of Sacramento, CA. I have 120 varieties of bamboo in my personal collection most of which are for sale. I attend plant sales and farmers markets throughout the Sacramento area. Our event schedule is posted at www.madmanbamboo.com. I'm happy to answer questions regarding bamboo. Hopefully you'll enjoy this site!